Making Dreams a Reality

Making Dreams a Reality

Article excerpt

The Rev. Canon Dr. Judy Rois received this mandate from the Anglican Foundation's board of directors when she was appointed executive director of the organization last January.

Established in 1957 by a group of Canadian Anglicans who wanted to help churches outside their own parishes, the foundation has had "an important but quiet past," and its board wanted to raise its profile, said Canon Rois. "A lot of people, if they've heard of the Anglican Foundation, don't know much about it."

Archbishop Fred Hiltz, board chair and primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, noted that Canon Rois' extensive experience in strategic planning will make it possible for her to transform "dreams into action plans." In a letter announcing Canon Rois' appointment, Archbishop Raz wrote, "She is absolutely committed to communicating our vision."

Canon Rois served as a parish priest for 26 years (the last six of them as rector of Christ Church Deer Park in Toronto) and has been a member of numerous national church and diocesan committees. She was ordained in 1985. In the 1990s, a foundation scholarship made it possible for her to attend Trinity College at the University of Toronto, where she completed a Master of Theology degree. Now, Canon Rois teaches homiletics (the art of preaching) at Trinity College, where several of her students are also scholars of the foundation.

Canon Rois said people are "delighted and surprised" when they learn how the foundation has touched the lives of Anglicans across Canada. To date, the foundation has dispersed $26 million in loans and/or grants for parish building projects, new ministries, theological education and creative arts relating to worship, music and liturgy, among others.

A foundation membership means "you're joining a winning team," she says. "When you donate, you make a difference. If you're an applicant, it can make big difference in your life."

Canon Rois and her team are using Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, blogs and email updates to get the message out about a series of new ideas that are bringing new life to the foundation's ministry. Here are some of them:

Toonie Membership/Kids Helping Kids in Canada

It used to be that an annual membership to the foundation, for an individual or a parish, would set you back $50. …